The Civic Trust Awards aim to promote the positive impact that good building and urban development can have on society. It's currently one of the largest and most respected award schemes of its kind in Europe.
Jack Tilbury, project director for Charcoalblue and The Roundhouse project, said: "We're delighted that the Roundhouse has received the 2008 Civic Trust Special Award for Access. We worked very closely with the architects, John McAslan + Partners throughout the project, to ensure the delivery of an accessible performing arts building fit for the 21st century - it's extremely rewarding to see that acknowledged."
Tilbury adds: "It's very pleasing to see a National award go to the North Wall Performing Arts Centre in Oxford. Formerly a listed Edwardian swimming pool, it has now been cleverly converted into a flexible performance space, for the students of St Edwards School, by architects Haworth Tompkins."
Andy Hayles, managing director of Charcoalblue comments: "All too often educational establishments opt for the lowest common denominator - a rectangular room with a blue-seated bleacher at one end. The North Wall is a credit to St Edwards School. With Haworth Tompkins and Charcoalblue they've succeeded in creating a new benchmark for education projects. For a comparable cost to the blue-bleacher space, the school has an adaptable theatre than can transform from end-stage to in-the-round settings, during an interval, without mechanization. It's a space that is both intensely theatrical and safe for students to operate. Congratulations to the team. Charcoalblue is proud to have been involved."
(Jim Evans)
